I have often read about some particular game, book or film and it was said that it’s creation was "a labor of love". I believe that this is true about Syberia . And if that is so, then this review is an unabashed love song. I suppose this passionate opening suspends all objectivity, a cardinal sin for a reviewer, so be it. For there are always those experences that even in the most critical and objective light are beautiful and worthy of our unqualified admiration.

As a bit of pre-history to this review, I have a long held appreciation for Benoit Sokal and his work. Before his days with the well known Microids game Amerzone, he has been an amazing artist of vision in the field of illustrated adult books and art. When he graced Microids with his artistry for Amerzone - I was happy and indeed found much to like about the game.

Then came the whispers of something new. A name sprinted around the web circles - Syberia. I am not sure exactly why, but at the very first tantalizing hints of this new project - something stirred and I had a thought that this would be something truly different. As time passed and early screen shots and more tangible evidence surfaced about this game - those stirrings gelled into a secret certainty. By the time release was imminent - I was convinced Syberia would be more than a new adventure game - it would be THE game. Perhaps even more - a perfect blend of interactive art and creative vision.

Then the box arrived on my doorstep. I realized that through some kismet of the mails, I was one of the very first to get this game in my hands. I had earlier decided against playing the demo for this game - first: I needed no inducement to get it - and secondly, I wanted nothing to detract from my first impressions. I was now thrilled at that decision, because after I had installed and loaded Syberia., within seconds I was transported far beyond my desk top and keyboard.

As the opening cut scene passed across my screen and the beautiful musical score became a permanent part of my musical memory, I knew that I had never been so right in trusting a pre-conception. For once, my expectations about a game had not only been reached but surpassed. In fact after experiencing Syberia I now know how far I could have let my expectations truly go and still find them transcended.

The characters were instantly sympathetic. Momo, a child, - perhaps not quite right according to the society we endure - but somehow also above all that we see and hear. Oscar - who throughout this game grows in our heart as a trusted companion and tin man to be loved. Then there is the aging Russian star, beautiful and heart breaking in her pain and isolation. Kate our heroine; harassed and harried by the voices of her life - while silently awakening within herself a spark of a dream for something more.

This is the true brilliance of Sokal and this tale. We can easily identify with Kate Walker. She is an attorney, bright and socially adept. She has an ambitious fiancee, a socially alert mother and the right sort of friends. As Kate moves into a world of wonder and distance from her old life, the calls from this life intrude with greater frequency and increasing annoyance. Here is Kate in a faraway place with mastadons and marvels - while her friend prattles on about Bloomingdales and Kate’s fiancee fusses like an old woman because she is hindering his plans for a successful dinner party and business deal. Kate and we as the player revel in her new found heart, spirit and capacity for love as the game unfolds. I found myself wishing with all my heart that I too could be traveling into a world of ice and magic rather than face even one more troubling phone call or e-mail.

The specifics of the game will be discussed I am sure in abundant detail in many reviews and board discussions. And I will confess right now - I am not going to discuss the OS of my PC or the details of game settings. There will be plenty of places and reviews that will tell you all that and more. Because as I told you in the beginning this is a love song not a shopping list. Suffice it to say, the graphics are flawless. There is seemingly no detail too small to be overlooked. I had to pause as I left my hotel for the first time. The rain had stopped and I just listened and looked. I watched as the last few drops of rain slid off and dropped to the ground. Birds cantilever against the sky and trill happily. I swear if you close your eyes - you can almost smell the damp earth and feel the breeze on your face. The music is perfect, rousing and soaring where it needs be, dark and moody when the scene and environment have shifted gears. Even now - it is hard to get the music from my mind. Many parts of this game are in short - haunting and the musical overlay plays a major part in that.

The interface could not be easier. Here is return to the simplicity of nothing but the mouse. Double click to run or a single one to walk through a scene. The cursor will let you know if there is something to pick up, to use or a dialogue to be had. The length is purely up to you. You can ask all that you see or go for the simple question that you know must apply. I happen to enjoy well crafted lines and in fact re-visited some of my favorite exchanges after completing Syberia. There is a particular poignancy to Kate’s last exchange with Oscar, her automaton companion. Although it has nothing much to do with any perceivable goal - this should not be missed. Much of the charm of these lines has everything to do with the voice talent employed. It is the nuances and intonations with which Oscar says this piece that hits the heart - not the words themselves. Which if read coldly would signify little. Whether it be a beautiful and aged opera singer, a madman, Momo, Kate Walker, beloved Oscar or ultimately the cause of this journey Hans Varlburgh himself - the voice talent in Syberia is wonderful.

There are puzzles as it were or perhaps challenges would be more accurate. Locked doors must be opened. Rusted machines must find new life and be started. I did not see any that were superfluous, not logical to the environment or unfaithful to the story. In fact there are many objects and wonders that even with the best efforts are beyond help. But they are still a marvel to regard and consider. In fact one of the best parts of this whole experience was the rarity in which I found myself stuck or without some sense of what needed to be done. If I did find myself wandering aimlessly - it was always because I missed something that a more careful eye and slower pace would have seen. I recommend making this game an experience rather than a challenge or a project. I think that if this is played with a clock and a dedication for "beating the game" you will surely miss much wonder, enjoyment and perhaps even the point of the story. For this is indeed a tale of the journey being the message rather than the destination.

This game’s message was hard to face at times and most of all distressing to finish. I knew even as I started and made my way through this story that I would miss this game much. So I played with anticipation and also the conscious regret that this would at some point be over and the story told. In fact - I played the ending more than a couple of times - and it is achingly beautiful. I have revisited my favorite scenes and conversations too. I will miss the music as the game unfolded and the opening load screen as I started up Syberia each day. I can only wait in wonder for Syberia 2 and the rest of this amazing journey of heart and soul.

So ends this love song and ode to a great game, an amazing vision and perhaps greater still the beauty of the human heart and spirit. For this game tells us that beauty is more than youth and physical grace. It is in fact to be found in the ageless depth of a human soul coupled with the deep capacity for love and wonder in us all.

Laura what a breathtaking review of a truly wonderful game. Ever since I read your post on the Adventure forum about the water dripping off the lamp outside and the birds chirping, I knew this game would be all it was proported to be and it is. Like you, I decided not to play the demo and I'm not sorry I didn't.

I am currently making my way slowly through the game and am in no immediate hurry to finish it.It's going to be a long time before another game will equal this - maybe one never will.

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Dark Side : RisenLight Side:

I can only please one person a day. Today isn't your day. Tomorrow's not looking good either.

What a wonderful review Laura and so true. I just started plying the game and I am already in love with it. The graphics are so beautiful and rich that sometimes I just stand and look at all the detail, the colors and I almost feel the mist and the raindrops on my face. This awesome talent coupled with a riveting story and the interesting gadgets one has to manipulate has produced a truly marvelous game.

Being one who appreciates a well written post on any topic and who endeavors to achieve same in some on my own - which always fall short in some fashion or other it seems to me - I must say that your review is truly extraordinary. I too, had read your opening impressions of Syberia as you began play, and had mentally marked this game as a must for the future. After reading your review my heart is now pumped to play also.

While the game is the object of creation and pleasure, your review is a masterpiece.

Lasanidine - I have admired your own reviews here for some time - so thank you much. Nickie and Asazen you guys are too much. Titan, you are indeed one who turns an elegant phrase so your wonderful words here overwhelm. I wish we could have hooked up while I was in Round Rock and talked for a while over some good coffee about adventure games.

Indeed what a pleasure that would have been. You would have recognized me as the guy who walks in with a pen and notebook ready to take notes on the games I've only heard of which you have most likely played and have opinions about. What fun. I've never had coffee with an attorney.

BTW, I've just begun one of your favorites, Under A Killing Moon. Have died once so far. Took too long to admire the setup of the Rusty the clown doll and the pawn shop thief did me in.

I try not to make comments on a game when I write but I agree with you on this game so much I have to express myself! You wrote a very touching, complete review and also expressed the general viewpoint of a lot of gamers that finished the game. Applause for you, my friend! Astounding masterpiece from the heart!

The game left me so emotionally connected that it took a while for me to get back to normal. When writing, I had to look at background, nuances in body language and the storyline which made the connection to the characters through Kate's eyes very personal. The unseen Anna's trials and pain caught between father and love for her baby brother, the ambitions of a tyrant father, the early glimpse of Han's life through Momo's appearance in the game, the birth and evolving growth of Oscar, the insecurities of an aged star from her fame to seclusion, the ex-cosmonauts alcohol cure to broken dreams and most of all Kate's slowly opening eyes to life and looking at the deeper layer of maturity. Her struggle to change and cope with what is thrown at her physically, emotionally and mentally.

Benoit Sokal is wonderful as ever as he touches the deepest core of human nature in all it different facets.Ambitions in the old world as well as in the modern jungles in New York.The people at Microids did a superb job. The twist in the neck muscle of Kate, the body language shown by the shadings of the outfits, the sway of the grass when the train passes, the mist over the mountains, etc.

Laura, that was such a wonderful review that I have no hesitation in buying this game. The review was so poetic and detailed. It is wonderful that Microids acknowledge your wonderful work. Thank you for sharing with us.

I have never read such a beautiful review...and having just received my copy of Syberia I understand and agree with every word Laura, but your words have served this wonderful game well, no one could have said it better.

And now a word from the minority. The minority being those gamers (like me) who prefer 1st person, solitary, load it with puzzles type games. My favorites list includes games like Schizm, ROTS, Riven and Reah. Only 2 games that are 3rd person made my top 15 for the twisty list, and both of those are cartoony type.

But to every rule there is an exception, and Syberia is it! I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed it more than I have ever enjoyed a 3rd person game. This is a keeper that I will enjoy playing again.

From the time that I met Momo and he stole my heart until the very end, this game and the characters enchanted me. From beginning to end it played flawlessly. (Note: I played the first half of the game on my old puter and the second half on my new puter.)

As stated before the graphics and music were beautiful. Character interaction and dialogue is usually tiresome and tedious to me in most 3rd person games, but I found that in Syberia it was neither. It was interesting, humorous and touching.

So you 1st person game lovers out there, this is the one 3rd person game that you really must try.

Laura, your review was sheer poetry, but I am glad that I waited to read it until after I played it. Only so that as I read it I could remember the fantastic journey I had just taken.

Now I just need to figure out which game is to be bumped out of my favorites for next years twisty list............Syberia needs the space.

Hugs, Cheryl

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Life is not measured by the breaths you take, it is measured by the moments that take your breath away.